Pressing iron



l. JEPSON -PRESSING IRON Sept. 24, 19.63

5 sneets-sheet 1 Filed May 2. 1960 I. J EPSON PRESSING IRON sept. 24,1963

l. JEPSON PRESSING IRON Sept. 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheei 3 Filed May 2, 1960 Y WNMN e M wr m o e M 7 m o w .A 6 W .wu @MQ ma mm a@ Qmwhw w www -,m www w www amm QN @NN i x 7--- N E Qwm Sept. 24, 1963 l l. JEPSON 3,104,482

PRESSING IRON,

Filed May 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 NMEA/T02 /VAR JE-PsoA/ gaga f6 am@ f4 TTozA/E-Y sept. 24, 1963 l. JEPSON 3,104,482

PRESSING IRON Filed May 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A ma /36 /64 /44 j i/- 70 lf/'6- /3 /35 /40 /464J J@ O54 INVENTOR.

ArrozA/E-Vs United States Patent O M 3,104,482 PRESSWG ltRN Ivar Jepson, Oak Park, lill., assigner to Sunbeam CorporatiomChicago, lill., a corporation of illinois Filed May 2, 1969, Ser. No. 26,3% l Claims. (Cl. :iS-7'?)l The present invention relates generally to pressing irons, and, more particularly, to a pressing iron capable of readily being converted to a steam iron so that it may serve equally well as a steam or dry iron.

Irons of this type comprise a water reservoir and a valve mechanism for controlling the How of water to a steam generating chamber, preferably located in the sole plate, at a rate of flow which allows the water to be flashed almost instantly into steam. Hence, this type of steam iron is conventionally referred to as of the flash type. The generated steam is distributed through the material being ironed or steamed by meansof ports or the like which communicate with the steam generating chamber and open on the ironing surface of the sole plate. Irons of this type are usually provided with thermostatic' means responsive to the temperature of the sole plate and adjustable to maintain the sole plate at a selectively controlled temperature, depending upon the material to be ironed. In steam irons of the flash type presently available on the market, the water reservoir is commonly spaced directly above the sole plate and below the handle of the iron. Steam irons of this type customarily include manual means for controlling the flow of water to theV steam generating chamber and also include manual means for controlling the temperature of the iron.y Thus, in such prior devices, the supports for the cover shell and the handle conventionally extend through or are attached to the reservoir, and, inaddition, the reservoir 'is provided with numerous openings through which the flow control mechanism and the temperature control means extend.

It is also known to locate the water reservoir at least partially within the handle or handle supporting columns of the iron. Such arrangements have not been entirely satisfactory in that the steam and temperature controls have not been conveniently located and the reservoir construction is complexcreating a high cost of manufacture. Moreover,` it is desirable to provide a handle construction and water reservoir wherein a minimum number of heat conducting elements extend from the sole plate to the handle so that the handle does not tend to get unl comfortably hot.

The size of the water reservoir included in steam irons now available generally causes the irons to be bulky with the result that such irons do not present a pleasing appearance.' It would be desirable to provide a combined steam or dry iron which .is substantially of the same size as an ordinary dry iron while still providing a reservoir of large capacity. It would, of course, be desirable to provide an iron possessing small outside dimensions comparable to those of the ordinary dry iron while having the component elements organized in such a manner that a minimum transfer of heat occurs between the sole plate and the handle while at the same time having the necessary water capacity of convenient use as a steam iron. In pressing irons of the type described above, the number of the elements constituting the temperature control means are frequently located directly above the sole plate in the most crowded portion of the iron and preferably including an operating arm extend'mg upward-ly and into the handle of the iron in korder to facilitate fingertip adjustment of the temperature. In prior Patent No. 2,906,043 Jepson and Vieceli, granted September 29, 1959, and assigned to the same assignee as the present ld Patented Sept. 24, 1963 application, there is disclosed one arrangement wherein the temperature control means is located to provide for more effective utilization of the space between the sole plate and the reservoir while at the same time preventing the heat transmitted to the reservoir from adversely affecting the operation of the thermostatic switch. A thermostatic control means is desirable which is adequately compensated for ambient temperatures and which is readily controllable by heat control means near` the handle of 'the iron.

In irons of the type discussed above, the temperature control means frequently include manually adjustable means and an associated temperature dial capable of being set to different operating temperatures indicated by suitable indicia on the dial and each corresponding to a particular type of material to be ironed. At the time of manufacture and occasionally afterwards the dial setting may not correspond exactly to the iron temperature with the result that improper heat is applied to the material being ironed. As a consequence, it becomes necessary to provide for initial and sometimes later calibration of the temperature control means in order to obtain correlation between the temperature dial setting and the operating temperature of the sole plate. In the devices of the prior art, such calibration has frequently been possible only by disassembly of a portion of the iron, a process which is both laborious and time-consuming. in the above mentioned Jepson and Vieceli patent, there is disclosed a means of Calibrating the temperature control means by an adjustment accessible through the front post of the handle. It would be desirable to provide the calibration of the temperature control means by a yet more readily accessible adjustment available fromthe exterior of the iron. Moreover, such an adjustment should 'be inexpensive, sturdy and reliable.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved iron of the character described above.

`It is also an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved temperature control means which may be calibrated through an adjustment readily accessible from the exterior of the iron.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a steam iron having an improved water reservoir means within the handle thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a steam and dry iron having maximum water capacity without substantially increasing the size of the iron over that of conventional pressing irons by providing a compact structural arrangement of the handle and water reservoir.

yIt is a further object of the present invention to provide improved and novel structure for securing the handle to the sole plate of an iron.

The invention funther resides in various structural improvements and innovations in the device by virtue of which efliciency and simplicity of operation are combined with low manufacturing cost and foolproof operation, of which structural features may be particularly mentioned the novel manner in which the water reservoir is located within the handle of the iron, the compact arrangement of the temperature and steam controls, the ease by which these controls may be utilized, the manner in which the thermostatic control mechanismv is mounted on the sole plate, and the improved arrangement of various pants thereby insuring simplicity, minimum transfer of heat to the handle of the iron, ease of assembly and disassembly, and 10W manufacturing cost.

EFurther objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize fthe invention will be pointed out with particularity in the crains :infrared te and for-ming Ia part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the present invention,

reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in complete structure;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 4 4 of FIG. 2, again assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure; n

lFIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, also assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line Y6 6 of FIG. 2, assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of i FIG. 2, assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the pressing iron of FIG. l taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 2 again assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional Vview taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG; 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line lil-10 of PIG. 2, assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure;

IFIG. 11 is a plan View of the sole plate of the iron ofFIG.'l;and

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram indicating schematically the electrical control-circuit embodied in the pressing iron of FIG. 1. l

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of the present invention in thefcrm of an electrically heated pressing iron comprising a sole plate 22 preferably constructed of a cast -metal such as aluminum, having lits bottom surface and its sloping side edges .polished or covered with a polished surface in order to present smooth clothes contacting surfaces. The sole plate 22 is heated by an electrical resistance or heating element 24` which preferably is of the sheathed type. Such types of heating elements are well Vlrnown and generally comprise a helically wound resistance conductor 26 centrallydisposed within an outer metallic sheath 28 and supported in spacedrelationship in reference to the shea-th by an electrical insulating heat 'conducting mass 30 (FIG. 3,) vformed of a suitable material such as highly compressed magnesium oxide. The sheathed heat- .ing element 24 is best shown in lFIGS. 2, 3, and y7*,of theY drawings and has a Igenerally U-shaped configura-tion or is roughly in the shape of a hairpin with the extremities of its legs disposed atv the rearV endY of the sole plate, and` with a bight portion disposed at the front or pointed end ofv the sole plate. Preferably the U-shapedlieating'element 24 is embedded in the sole plate 22 as by being cast therein during the process of casting ,the sole platef As illustrated in the drawings and specifically in FIGS. 3 and 8 thereof, the solegplate 22 is provided with anintegral upwardly extending U-shaped rib 32, in which the sheathed heating element 24 is received. A Ihe sheathed heating element 24 is, moreover, provided with suitable terminals 34 and 36 extending out of the rnetallic sheath, as best shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, it being understood that these terminals are suitably connected to the centrally disposed resistance conductor 26.

For the purpose of defining a steam generating chamberV which is in `good heat transfer relationship with the heatv a ing ele-ment 2d through the rib 32 in Whichthe heating element is disposed, the front portion of the sole plate 22 is provided with a steam generating chamber or well generally `designated as 38. This steam generating chamber 38 is 'defined within the space bounded by the closed end of the U-shaped rib 32 and a vertical wall or cross member 4l) (FIGS. 2 land l1) which extends between and effectively interconnects the two legs of the U-shaped rib 32.

In order that a satisfactory steam generating chamber may be Ydefined which is closed to atmosphere except for the steam exit and water inlet pasageways, the adjacent top edge of the rib 32 enclosing the steam generating chamber 38 is provided with a flat ledge or sealling surface designated as 32a and best shown in FIGS'. 2, 3 and ll, which is level with the top of the cross member 40 for supporting thereon a suitable steam chamber cover or closure plate 42 for the steam generating chamber 38. The cover 42'preferably comprises a threelayer construction as disclosed and claimed in Jepson Patent No. 2,871,587 and Jepson et al. Patent No. 2,906,- 043 andl consisting of an upper rigid backing member 42a, an intermediate asbestos member 4212 and a lowermost metal foil member 42C which may be formed of stainless steel or the like. All three of these members forming the cover 42 have a conguration corresponding with the shape of the ledge or sealing surface 32a. The rigid backing member 42a of the cover 42 is initially bowed so as to have a curvature which is concave downward as viewed in FIG. V2 whereby when drawn into sealing engagement with the ledge 32a by suitable fastening means, the cover will be stressed to provide a good seal around` its entire periphery in engagement with the ledge 32a and the vcross member 48. As best shown in FIG. l0, and claimed in Jepson et all. Patenty No. 2,906,403, the three layers forming the cover 32 are held in assembled relationship by a valve body portion 43 of a flow or Vsteam control valve shown generally atV 44 and performing several functions including functioning as a valve member for regulating the dow of water into the steam generating chamber 38, and for securing the handle assembly to the sole plate. VSpecically, the valve 44 cludes the cylindrical valve body member 43 (FIG. l0) having a reduced portion 43a which extendsthrough a cooperating opening defined in the upper rigid cover member 42a and is staked as indicated at 43b to secure the cover member 42a securely to the valve body 43. The reduced portion 43a of valve body member 43 also extends through a cooperatingropening defined in the asbestos member 42b of fthe'cover42 and the lower foil member 42e` of the cover member 42 which are also se- 'secured Vwithin tapped openings defined in the sole plate 22. In order to insure that only dry steam exits from the solle plate v22 of the iron 2li, the steam generating chamber 38` isV provided with various baffles integrally formed with the sole plate. These baffles, as best shown in FIG. ll, include a -U-shaped raised portion 52 level with the ledge 32a. having rearwardly extending legs or baffle members 52a and 52th which effectively divide the steam generating chamber 38 into a central portion and a surrounding U-shaped passageway 54. A somewhat L-shaped baiiie portion 52C extends from the leg 52h toward the leg 52a to define a tortuous steam pasageway. Where the two arms of they L of batiie portion 52C are joined, rthere is an enlargement "52d which has a tapped opening to receive the' fastening means 49. Preferably the ends of legs 52a and 52barev provided with lateral projections Y52e and 52jl to further provide a labyrinthlike passageway to insure the formation of dry steam..

Y The water supplied to the steam generating chamber 38 i 'designated as 64 (FIG. 2).

passes through the Valve 44, the valve body d3 of which is secured to the cover plate 42, and enters this chamber adjacent the forward portion thereof, as is best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Preferably the wall surfaces of the sole plate forming the steam generating chamber are treated by Sandblasting and are coated with a thin coat of .inorganic insulating material lto provide an appreciable temperature drop at the surface of the steam generating chamber, thereby insuring that the water will wet these surfaces thus resulting in lsatisfactory steam generation. The water supplied to the steam generating chamber wets the treated bottom surface of the chamber and by virtue of the high temperature of this surface is immediately flashed into steam. This steam, which may contain some `quantities of moisture, must first travel rearwardly in a tortuous path in the steam generating chamber as shown by the arrows in FIG. ll and then forwardly through the U-shaped passageway 54 on both sides of the steam generating chamber in order to reach steam outlets or exits which comprise ports 62 located in the passageway S4. These ports 62 `open to the bottom of the sole plateZZ and are collectively arranged in a sort of V-shaped configuration. To obtain distribution of the steam emerging through the ports 62 over a sub'- stantial area `of the pressing surface of the sole plate 22, the ports 62 at the pressing surface are preferably flared as indicated at 62a and these flared portionsare preferably interconnected by a plurality of elongated grooves These grooves may extend over a substantial portion of the bottom of the sole plate, Thus, the steam emerging from the flared ports 62 is spread over the material being ironedvby the grooves 64 with the result that a substantial area of the bottom of the sole plate is covered with steam.

To facilitate assembly of a suitable thermostatic `control device to `be hereinafter described wit-h the sole plate 22, the latter is provided with a well generally designated at 6d, :best shown in FIGS. 2, 9 and l1 of the drawings, which is defined between the legs of the U-shaped rib 32 enclosing the heating element 24. The well 68 is bounded at its forward end by a wall 7d extending transversely of the ir-on between the legs of the U-shaped rib 32 and is bounded at its rearward end by a vertical wall 72 also extending between the legs of the U-shaped rib 32. The

vertical wall 72 includes a central rearwardly extending portion 72a for supporting portions of the thermostatic control device, as will become evident from the ensuing description. The wall 7l? extends substantially parallel to the cross member dit, thus defining a well or recess 7l in the sole plate for isolating the itherrniostatic control element from the local temperature effects yattendant upon formation of steam within 4the steam generating chamber 3S. Moreover, the wall 7u further includes angularly disposed rear surfaces 70a diverging from the center of the sole .plate 22 in order to provide relatively large heat conducting masses integral 4with the legs of the U-shaped rib 32 in which the heating element 24 is embedded thereby to effect maximum transfer of heat from the heating element 24 to the center of the wall '7d 'and to provide for effective operation of the thermostatic control device mounted upon this wall by insuring that the temperature of this wall 7@ corresponds closely to the temperature of the ironing surface of the sole plate 22.

.For the purpose of enclosing the upper part of the sole plate, there is provided :a cover shell or heat reflecting barrier '73 of very shallow depth which is supported at the forward tip of the sole plate by a raised small area portion 74- integrally formed with the sole plate. The cover shell is further supported by pairs of lugs integrallyformed with the sole plate and designated as '76, '73 and Si).

So that an operator may manipulate the pressing iron, thereis provided a combined handle yand reservoir generally designated as 82 and preferably formed of a molded heat and electrical insulating material such as one of the many synthetic resins capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures. The handle and reservoir member 82 is of substantially' D-shape and it comprises a hollow base or skirt portion 82a defining a water reservoir cavity 3 open at the bottom and .a handgrip portion 82h. The bottom of the portion 82a has -a configuration very much like that of the cover shell '73. A pair of somewhat vertical front and rear hollow posts 32e and 82a extend from Ithe base portion 82a and are interconnected at their top by the handgrip portion 82h. The base portion 52a which substantially covers the top of the cover shell functions to shield the hand of the operator from radiated heat and, hence, provides for comfortable and ecient operation of the iron, Aand additionally las hereinafter described fur-ther functions as defining a substantial part of the water reservoir of the iron. The portions 82a, 32h, 82C `and 82d are molded as a one-piece construction. A transversely extending wall 82e separates the Water reservoir cavity 83 from a rear chamber Sd, the cavities or chambers 83 and 84 communicating with their respective hollow posts S20 and 82d.

At the rear of the chamber 84 are a pair of enlarged bosses SZ disposed on opposite sides of the iron, and best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and each including` a tapped opening :or a tapped insert molded therein for the purpose of receiving fastening screws 35 to secure the rear of the member 32, to the cover shell 73. f

At the forward portion of the hollow front post 82C of the member 82 there is defined a filling opening 36 which communicates with the chamber or cavity 83. The outside wall of post @2c immediately adjacent filling opening 6 is sloped toward the opening as indicated at 32h to facilitate pouring water through this opening. This opening 86 is disposed immediately beneath `a flat shelflike portion 32g integrally molded with the remainder of the combined handle and reservoir 82,. rl`his shelf includes a somewhat oval-shaped aperture S7 (FlG. 6) affording access to valve de, which aperture is closed by a removable plug 88 which may suitably be formed of molded neoprene rubber or the like. On top of this plug is a U-shaped bearing plate 93 preferably formed of nylon which is held in position by a depending lug 93a (FIGS. 2 and 4) receivable in a recess 83a defined in the -top of plug SS.

For the purpose of defining the bottom wall of the water reservoir 83, there is provided :a water reservoir plate cover 89. The cover S9 has a periphery inthe shape `of a closed U and conforms -to the shape of the bottom opening in the member C32 forwardly of the transverse wall 32e. Suitable gasket means 96 partially disposed in `a recess @l defined of the member 82 is interposed between cover 39 and member 32 as clearly shown FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7 of the drawings. The gasket 9i) may -be in the form as an O-ring, and insures la hermetic Seal between the cover 39 :and the combined handle and reservoir defining member 82, thereby forming the Water reservoir E3.

To secure the cover 39 to the member 32, there are provided a plurality of screws or fastening means 9d (FIGS. 2 and 6) which engage tapped openings in the member 82-some of which are disposed in bosses S21'. It will 'be .noted from FIG. 6 Ithat sealing gasket 90 is distorted so as always to be positioned on the inside of the screws 94 so that lthere can #be no leakage from the reservoir S3 around the screws 94. Extending between two of these bosses 821' is an integral baffle member or partial partition 82j depending from the top wall defining reservoir S3 and having its lower edge terminating short of the cover plate S9. l

In order to provide fingertip control of both the steam ow and the temperature setting of the iron 2tl,`the manipulating portions of these controls should be adjacent the top of hollow front post 82e of member 52;. This means that if the thermostatic control mechanism described hereinafter is located within the cover shell 73,

` 7 l some mechanically adjustable means must extend through reservoir 33. To this end there is provided a passageway 100 as defined by a tubular member 102, best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings. The tubular member 102 extends vertically through the reservoir 33 and has its lower end hermetically sealed around the periphery of an opening 103 in the water reservoir cover S19. Specifically, the lower end of the tubular member 1112 is provided with a. shoulder 119261 which is seated against the inner surface of the water reservoir cover 89, and the portion of tubular member 102 extending through opening 103 isturned or spun against the outer surface of the cover 89 to secure the'tubular member 102 to the cover 89 in .a watertight manner. The upper end of the tubular member 102 extends above shelflike member 32g through a suitable opening provided therefor in plug 3S, and between the bifurcations of U-shaped bearing plate 93. A combined baffle and support member 1434 of somewhat U shape is provided within reservoir 83 with one leg 104:1 of the U-shaped member spot welded or otherwise secured to the inside of water reservoir cover 89. The other leg 1Mb is provided with an openingk for receiving and supporting tubular member 102. The bight portion of the member 104 prevents the rush of Water from one end of the reservoir to the other during an ironing operation. However, passageways-105 (FIG. 3) beneath member 104 permit water in reservoir 83 to move from one side of member 104 to the other. The free end of leg portion 1Mb preferably engages a shoulder 106 defined beneath filling opening 86. Moreover, this leg portion 1Mb is provided with a flanged opening 107 for accommodating steam control means described hereinafter.

Thus far, only the valve body 43 of steam valve 44 has been described which controls the fiow of water from the reservoir 83 to the steam generating chamber 3S. As will be observed by reference to B1G. 10 of the drawings, the valve body 43 which has its lower end secured to the steam generating chamber cover 42, as previously described, is Vof generally cylindrical shape and is internally threaded as indicated at 108 to receive a combined valve seat and reservoir securing member 11i) which latter member is externally threaded to engage the threads 108 of the valve body member 43. The member 110 is in effect a hollow bolt having a head portion 111m which is intended to engage to inside surface of reservoir cover 89 and extend through an opening 111 defined therein. The threaded portion 110!) thereof is adapted to extend through an opening 112 in cover shell 73 aligned with the opening 111 so as threadedly to engage valve body 43. A suitable hollow sealing washer`113, such as one formed of a silicone rubber, is compressed between the top of valve body 43 and the outside of reservoir cover 89 thereby to provide a sealed passageway from reservoir 83 to steam generating chamber 38. The `Washer 11?)` is also a heat insulator preventing the transfer of heat from the sole plate 22 to the member 82. It will be understood that member 11G secures the reservoir cover 89, and hence, member 82 secured thereto to the sole plate 22, via steam generating chamber cover plate 42. Preferably the head 110g of member 111B is provided with suitable tool engaging means whereby it may be manipulated by a tool extending through aperture 87.

The hollow lower end of the member 110 is provided with a small metering orifice 114 immediately above Y which is a tapered valve seat 115. A valve stem or needle valve element 116 is slidably received in the internal paspreventing the deposit of lime or Yother minerals which would otherwise tend to block this opening. Valve stem 116 extends through openings 1117 and 87 and preferably through an opening 118 provided in plug 83 with the upper end of valve stem 116 being above the shelflike surface 82g. t

It will be appreciated that during an ironing operation the iron is moved backwardly and forwardly in contact p with the articles or goods being ironed, with the result that the Water in the water reservoir 33 will tend to rush from one end thereof to the other. This is prevented by virtue ofthe baffles 32j and 1134 already described. These baffles tend to cause the water in its movement Vdue to the back and forth motion of the iron to move in a circular pattern in the reservoir 83. The portion 104b of bai e 1114 prevents the splashing of this water out of the filling opening 86 in the handle post 82e.

To further prevent'splashing from opening 8d during an ironing operation 'and to direct the ow of water around the valve stem 116 and the tubular member 102, there is provided an upper somewhat arcuate baffle memberY 122 (FIGS. 2 and 5) positioned just inside the filling opening 86 but having a plurality of passageways 124 through which filling water may pass. The bafiie 122 is positioned between the leg 104i? of the baffle member 104 and the top of the front post V82C preferably having its front upper edge seated against ashoulder 126 integrally formed within member S2. As best shown in FIG. 5, the rear ends of the baffle member 122 engage shoulders 127 defined by post 82C. As illustrated, the bafiie 122 is positioned directly in front of the valve stem 116 and the tubular member 1112 so that when the iron is uptur-ned or resting on its rear end for lling, the filling water will be deflected around these components. Another generally V-shaped baffle or partial partition 82k formedintegrally with the member 82 extends downwardly from the underside of the shelf 82g to a point quite close to portion 1114!? of baie 104 to direct the filling water into the reservoir S3 and to prevent water from splashing from the reservoir 83. Y

To provide Vmeans for selectively controlling and maintaining the temperature of the sole plate 22 at any desired temperature, there is provided a temperature responsive control device generally designated at 128 and best shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9 of the drawings. This device must be capableV of being accommodated within a relatively small space between the upper surface of the sole plate 22 and the bottom of the handle member 82 and water reservoir 83 within the handle, preferably within the shell 73. In accordance with the presentinvention, the temperature responsive control device '128 is supported so that it extends just forwardly of the rear wall 72 of the sole plate 22. Thus, the thermoresponsive control device 128 should preferably be an elonga-ted assembly extending beneath the water reservoir 83` and facilitating the use of a reservoir containing a large volume of water without appreciably increasing the outside dimensions of the iron, thereby permitting a very shallow shell 73 to be employed. Referring now to the drawings, the thermoresponsive control device 123 is essentially a subassembly including a supporting frame, a bimetallic element, a control switch, and numerous other-necessary elements to be described in detail hereinafter. The supporting frame is designated generalend of the valve stem 116 there is provided a cleanout ly by the reference numeral y125@ and includes an elongated rectangular frame comprising a pair of sidebars 139e interconnected at their upper edges near `the front and the rear by horizontally extending crossbars 13% and 130e. The frame 13@ is secured to the sole plate 22 by suitable fastening means 132 extending through crossba'r 113012 and clamping frame 1341 to the top of the wall '70. Y

For the purpose of responding to the temperature of the soie plate 22, there is provided as part of the thermoresponsive control device 12S a main thermostat 1or bimetal-lic element 134 which has `one end thereof clamped between cnossbar 13017 and walll '70 so as to be in intimate Q Y heat exchange relationship with the sole plate 22. The bimetallic element 131iis thus secured in cantilever fashion and :extends rearwardly of the wall 7i). For the particular [design idisclosed in the drawings, the high lexpansion side `of the bimetallic element 134 is on the bottom so that as the temperature :of the sole plate rises the bimetallic element deflects upwardly. Preferably, there is secured to thefree end of the bimetallic element 134i a contact actuating member 136 which is formed of a suitable electrically insulating material such as a ceramic. As was pointed out above, the mass iof the wall 7d and tapered side portions '70a is sufficiently large to insure accurate correlation between temperature of the bimetallic element 134 and changes in the temperature of the sole plate 22.

ln order to contro-l an electrical circuit in response to the movement of the bimetallic ele-ment 13d, the temperature responsive device 123 further includes a pair of relatively movable contacts 138 and 140i. The lower contact 14o may be considered the stationary contact, since it does not move in response to the operation of the bimetallic element 134. rllhis is somewhat of a misnomer, however, since it is selectively movable, as will become apparent from the following description, to adjust the temperature setting of the pressing iron tof the present invention. The contact 138, on the other hand, may be considered the movable contact, since it is adapted to be moved in response to ideilection of the bimetallic element 134.

For the purpose of supporting the relatively movable contacts 13S and 140 as a part of the subassemlbly 128, there is provided a stack of interposed insulating and conducting members, generally designated at 142, which stack is supported by a rivet or other fastening means l1li-fa from a rearward `extension of the frame- 13-ll. This stack 1112,

as in Jepson et al. Patent No. 2,906,043, supports in in-v sulated relationship a pair of switch arms ldd and 146 supporting the contacts 138 and 14d, respectively. The switch arm 146 includes a flexible portion 14661 and a rigid portion ldeb, the flexible portion tending to bias contact 14d :downwardly as viewed in rFlG. 2 of the drawings. The contact arm 144 is a flexible arm and also constantly tends to bias contact 13S downwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 :of the drawings.

In order electrically to connect the terminals 34 and 36 olf the sheathed heating element 2li in series with the switch comprising contacts 13S and '140, the stack 142 supports a plurality of bus bars 14S, 150 and 152. The bus bar 148 includes a laterally extending arm 14301 which by means `of a conductor 154 electrically interconnects this bus bar with terminal 34 of sheathed heatingelement '24. The bus bar 1418` also includes an upwardly extending arm 148i: which extends upwardly through an opening 156 in shell 73 into chamber 8d where electrical connections with a conventional power cord as schematically indicated in FIG. l2 of the drawings can readily be made. The bus bar 15d is connected by a conductor 15S with the terminal 36 of sheathed -heating element 2.4 and is also held in stack 114-2 in conducting relationship with switch arm 145. The bus bar 152 is lheld in stack 142 in conducting relationship with flexible switch arm 14d and includes a vertical extension 152a which extends through shell opening 156 into chamber 8d. As shown in FIG. 12, Ithe vertical bus bar extensions ldb and 1S2a are electrically connected by conductors 16h51 and 16% of a power cord 164i to a conventional plug connector 1612i.r

For the purpose of preventing initial tempearture overshoot ofthe sole plate 22 when lirst connected to a source of electric energy and to improve the load characteristic, the therlrnoresponsive control idevice i128 includes ak cornpensa-ting thermostat or bimetallic element, designated by the reference numeral 164, which is illustrated as a short plate riveted or otherwise secured to the end of the ilexible switch arm I1414 and extending into the path lof movement of the contact actuating element 136. Filhe compensating thermostat 164 has its high expansion side disposed below the lower expansion side so that an increase in temperature will cause it to 'deflect upwardly. Since it is not in good heat transfer relationship with the sole plate 22, it will not deflect as rapidly initially as the element 13d until Ithe ambient temperature in the iron has increased.

For selectively controlling the temperature of the sole plate 212, by selectively positioning the stationary contact 1140, there is provided a cam rod y166 having an inclined cam surface '166e engaging a cam follower 170 supported on an extension l171 secured to the rigid port-ion 146!) of contact arm 1146. Since the extension '171 is electrically connected to the contact iletti, the cam follower I170 is preferably of electrical insulating material. The cam rod 166 is illustrated as of generally inverted U-shaped cross section and has its bight portion at the rear of the iron slidably positioned on an adjusting screw 172 which passes through an opening in the rear-ward portion '72a of the rear wall 72 and which threadedly engages a resilient 'U-shaped speed nut 174, the legs of which are disposed on opposite sides of portion 72a. Rotation of the adjusting screw 172 permits calibration of the temperature control means in a manner as will hereinafter become apparent. The forward end of the cam rod 166 is guided for reciprocal movement by a control assembly bracket 1178. The bracket 178 is secured to the cover i2 of the steam generating chamber 35 by the screw 49 which passes through an aperture in the bracket 178. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the bracket 1178 has an upstanding T-shaped portion 171% at one side thereof which has the stem portion thereof extending through an elongated slot 179 defined in cam rod 166. This T and slot arrangement permits guided longitudinal movement of cam rod 166.

In accordance with the present invention, one flange of `U-shaped cam rod y166 is cut away in the area of the bracket i17S, and the edge of the bight portion is provided with gear teeth ltidb forming a rack. The bracket 178 is provided with a slightly elevated portion 176];

("FIG. 3) upon which .the inner surface of the bight portion of the cam rod 15d rides.

`In order that the cam rod `165 may be accommodated within the relatively small space between the upper surface of the sole plate 22 and the bottom of the resservoir 83 and within shell 73, the cam rod 166 contains a bend 166C ('FIG. 8) so -that the for-ward portion comprising the rack may be positioned nearer the center of the iron near the forward end of the bight portion of the upwardly extending U-shaped rib 32. At the same time, the rearward portion, including the inclined cam surface 116e, is located away from the longitudinal center of the iron so as not to interfere with the temperature responsive device 128 but so that the inclined cam surface 166a engages the cam followerV 170.

The operation of the thermoresponsive control device 128 is apparent from the foregoing description. I-Iowever, briefly, when the follower 171) engages the lower portion of the inclined cam surface 1660i, the llexible spring arm 11461: biases the contact arm y14 and stationary contact downwardly to the maximum extent. At the same time, the contact actuating member 136 on the bimetallic element 13d engaging the compensating thermostat '164 holds the movable contact1138 out of engagement with the fixed contact 140 thereby constituting a switch Off position. As the cam rod F166 is moved rearwardly, so that the cam follower 171) is raised along the inclined cam surface 166g, the fixed contact 14d is brought into electrical engagement with the movable contact d3?, so as to complete a circuit as hereinafter described, thereby closing the switch formed by contacts r13S and 14d. As the vcam follower y171) is raised higher along the inclined cam surface L16661, movement of the bimetallic element l13d required to break the electrical engagement between the movable contact 138 and the stationary contact 1402 will be greater, thereby raising the temperatureV of the sole plate at which the `contact actuating member 136 opens the switch formed by contactsl-SS and 140. Moreover, as heretofore described, the compensating thermostat 1'64 including the bimetallic element compensates for changes in the ambient temperature of the thermoresponsive device '128.

For the purpose of securing the shell or cover 73 to the sole plate l22, there are provided suitable fastening rmeans `190 (FIGS. 7 and 8) extending through openings in shell 73 and threadedly engaging tapped openings defined in circular bosses 192 formed integral with the sole plate 22 and projecting upwardly therefrom. The

Y cover shell 73 has a portion 73a extending beyond the heel of the sole plate 22 thus providing a downwardly opening housing (il-TIG. 2) affording access to the fastening means =85 which, as described above, secure the rear of the handle and reservoir member l82 of the pressing iron to the shell 73.V lIt will be recalled that the forward end of the member 82 is secured directly to the sole plate 22 of the iron 2t) by the assembly of the steam valve 44 with the cover 42 of the steam generating chamber 38 Vand the bottom plate 89 of the water reservoir S3.

In ord-er to close the downwardly directed chamber deiined by the portion 73a of the cover shell 73 which providesY access to fastening means 85, there is provided a suitable closure plate 19S of generally I -shaped cross section which is secured to the extension v72a on the sole plate 22 by fastening means 199; This closure 'plate is designed to provide a pleasing appearance and also 'a minimum path for heat transfer between the sole plate 22 and shell 73.

In order that the power cord 16) may enterthe chamber `84 in member y22. to make electrical connections with rigid conductors ll'48b and 15261 disposed in chamber 34,

the rear of themember 82 adjacent post y82d is provided f ing 200 is provided with a cord opening closure y262 which is of such size and shape to completely ll the arcuate recess 20d and to provide a Surface on all exposed sides thereof, except one, which conforms to the adjacent surfaces of member '82. On said one exposed side of closure 202, vthere is an opening for power cord 160 and a passageway therefor into chamber 84. This cord opening is at one end thereof as shown in HG. 1 of the drawings. The closure 282 is symetrical so it may be placed in the arcuate recess two different ways whereby the cord enters from the left side as shown in FIG. l, or if reversed, the cord enters from the right. A suitable fastening means 204 (IFIG. 2V) holds closure member 202 in either of these two positions wherein the member 82 and closure 202 afford the appearance of a unitary structure. Suitable strain relief means are preferably provided as well as a helical spring 206 disposed concentrically with the cord 160; Preferably the closure 222 is formedV of two complementary portions not shown whereby one end of spring 206 may be held between these complementary portions.

It will be appreciated that pressing irons today are used to iron la wide variety 4of materials such as the new synthetic materials, silk, wool, cotton, linen, and the like, all of which require different temperatures for best ironing thereof. For example, rayon requires a mulch lower ironing temperature than does linen. Itis for this reason that means are provided selectively to control the temperature at which the pressing iron 20 operates; To this end means are provided for controlling the position of the 0am rod 165, and, therefore, the position of the follower 170 on the cam surface lona described above. It

r'will be appreciated that if the vcam follower 170 iskmoved l2 in an upward direction 'by some control means, it will raise'the temperature setting of the ironand, of course, if the cam follower 170- is permitted to move downwardly in the direction of the resultant biasing forces of the resilient contact support arm portion 14M, the contact 14@ will be moved downwardly and, hence, will lower the temperature setting of the iron.

For the purpose of selectively moving the cam follower. i7@ upwardly or permitting it to be biased downwardly to a greater or lesser extent, there is .provided a pinion or gear 229 in meshing relationship with the gear teeth lotib on the rack formed on the cam rod i166. This ,pinion is secured to the lower end of a rotatable control rod 222 disposed within the passageway 10i) of tubular member 1012. To maintain control rod 222 in the position shown, the lower end thereof secured vto gear 220 hasV a portion extending through an opening in the control assembly bracket 178 to which is secured means to prevent movement along the longitudinal axis but to permit free pivotal movement thereof. The control bracket assembly 17S is provided with a plurality of protuberances 178e on which the pinion :gear 220 rests to form a relatively frictionless bearing surface'for the gear 220, and upon which the latter is free to pivot. The upper end of rod 222 extends ,out of tubular member M32 and above the shelflike surface 182g.

So that the rod 222 may be readily pivoted about its longitudinal axis, there is secured to the upper end thereof a temperature control lever 224, best shown in FIG. 4 of `the drawings. The control lever 224 is supported for pivotal movement immediately above the shelflike surface 82g, above plug S8 and on bearing plate 9'3. The control lever 224 is preferably made as a flat stamping and includes a lateral extension 224a4 to which may be attached a suitable manually engageable control knob 225. In order that the control lever 224 may pivot about the longitudinal axis off control rod 222, the pivotal end thereof is' of semicircular conguration as indicated at 224b, but, in effect, comprises a pair of bifurcations deining a sort of circular bearing surface therebetween for engaging the-upper end of the tubular member 102 ablove the shelflike surface 82g.V Thus, the lever 224 pivots about the stationary tubular member 102. So as not to Vinterfere-with the valve stem '14.6, the lever 224 is provided with an arcuate slot 228, rthus permitting pivotal movement of the lever 224 through an angle of one hundred eighty degrees without interfering with the valve stem '116. Moreover, the extension '224a of the lever 224 engages shoulders 229, best shown in FIG. 4 'of the drawings in the two extreme positions thereof, the position of the lever 224 shown in FIG. 4 being the Off position thereof.

In order that the pivotal movement of the lever 224 causes corresponding pivotal movement of the control rod 222, there is provided a somewhat U-shaped spring clamp 230 which secures the lever 224 to the control rod 222. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the Vuqgiper end tof the control rod 222 is provided with two opposed hat faces 222a which are. receivable in a cooperating rectangular opening 230e definedv in the spring clamp 2301 Furthermore, the spring clamp 2130 is provided with a pair of downwardly directedtabs 230b which engage cooperating grooves for openings deiined in the lever 224, best shown 'in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

The position of the temperature control lever 224 determines the temperature a-t which the iron 20` will operate. Specifically, when the temperature control lever is rotated counterolockwtise, as viewed from above (FIG. 4) to its most counterclockwise position there shown, the icarnV rod Mois advanced tot its forwardmost position so that the cam follower 170 Ais at the lowerniost position of the cam surface inea. The natural bias of the flexible arm portion i460: nieves the xed contact 1404 downaros-,48a

moved up the inclined cam surface loda thereby raising the position of the Xed contact Mtl. As soon as contact 14d engages the movable contact 138, the electrical circuitfis established through the electrical sheathed element 24 to heat the iron. It will be appreciated that upon the initial heating ot the iron, the ambien-t temperature acting on the compensating thermostat 164-` is relatively low, and the compensating thermostat I164 will have deflected ve-ry little. As the sole plate 2?. ofthe iron is heated by the heating element 24, the 'bimetallic element 134, which is in intimate contact with the sole plate 22, causes the contact actuating member i136 to be moved upwardly so that aty the preselected temperature, the contact actuating member 13o engages the compensating thermostat 164 moving the movable contact 138 out ot engagement with the xed Contact 1li@ and thereby breaking the electrical circuit through the heating element. lt will be appreciated that as the temperature control lever 224 is moved further in a clockwise direction, the follower 17d will move higher up the inclined 166e and will move the iixed contact 14d higher. Therefore, as the fixed contact 1li-il is raised, the contact actuating member 136 must raise higher betore it disengages the contacts 133 land litl` to open the switch formed thereby, and the iron will operate at an increased temperature. VMoreover, it will Ibe appreciated that as the iron A2.0 attains normal operating temperature, the ambient temperature about the compensating thermostat 164 will increase, and the thermostat will bend upwardly thereby compensating for any increase in bending or the lbirnetallic element 134 due to increased ambient temperatures.` In this manner, the iron Ztl is prevented "from overheating during the initial heating period when the iron is first turned on. It wil-l also be appreciated that atter the circuit including the contacts 1133 and llltlis lbroken due to the action ot the Contact actuating member 13s, the heating element 24- will be disengaged from the source of electrical power and the iron will begin to cool. As the temperature of the iron drops, the bimetallic element 134 moves in a direction to lower the contact actuating member 13dI thereby lowering the movable contact '.138 into engagement With the fixed Contact '140 and re-establishi-ng t e electrical circuit through the electrical resistance element 24.

A-n important teature `of the present invention resides in the ability to calibrate the temperature setting; at the factory or elsewhere when the iron is completely assembled. To this end, the adjusting screw 1172 (FIG. 9),

` which is provided with a somewhat rounded upper end for engagement with the inner surface of lthe bight section orf the cam rod ldd, includ-es means whereby it may be adjusted lby utilizing a suitable tool. Moreover, the closure plate 198 is provided with the opening 238 (FIG. 9) which is aligned with the adjusting screw 172 so that the tool may readily engage the adjusting screw 172. With this arrangement, the temperature at which the iron operates for a given setting of the temperature control lever 224 may be accurately and quickly calibrated without disassembly of the iron.

In order to enclose the portions of the temperature control mechanism described above and of the flow oontnol `device to be hereinafter described, and, in addition, to provide suitable indicia for indicating the position of the knob 225 of the temperature control lever 22d, there is provided a temperature dial 2-39 which is shaped so as to provide an enclosune above the plug `8S and further to form a continuation of the hand grip portion 82b of the member 62 to cause it to blend smoothly with the forward post portion 32e of the handle. Consequently, the temperature dial 239 is somewhat in the shape of a segment of a hollow sphere including a projection 23-9a eX- tending rearwardly into a recess 24() defined in the handle member 82, (FIG. 2). When thus assembled to the iron, the temperature dial 239 leaves a narrow space or arcuate slot 241 between the bottom thereof and the shelflike surface 82g to permit pivotal movement of the control lever 22,4 therein. Preferably, the temperature dial Z39 is provided with a skirt portion 2391) on which skirt portion indicia may be provided such as an Oli indication and an indication of settings [for various kinds of material which are likely to beironed by the pressing iron 2t). A steam setting is also preferably provided. As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, this skirt is provided with the following indicia starting from the Oil position of knob r225i: Of Rayonf Silk, Steam, Woolf Cotton, Linen.

Preferably the needle valve controlling the water flow between the reservoir 83 and steam generating chamber 38 comprising valve stern 116 has only two positions, namely, an open position and the closed position, shown in FlG. l0 of the drawings. To provide ingertip control of the needle valve d4, the upper end ther'eof disposed above shelflike surface 82g comprises a reduced neck section 116C receivable in a slot or groove in an actuating lever 242. The lever 242 extends through an elongated slot 243 ldeiined in the temperature dial 2.39. Secured to the :tree end of the lever 242 is a manual steam control knob 244. The sunface of the temperature dial 239* along the slot 24?;` rises from one end to the other and is provided with a knob depression 245 at the upper end thereof. The location of this kno-b depression 245 relative to the valve stern ,116 is such that when the knob 241i is in the depression 245, the water control valve 44 is open, the valve stem 116 being raised. On the other hand, when the knob 244 is in the position shown in FlG. 2, the water control valve 44 is closed and in the position `best illustrated in FIG. l() of the drawings.

As illustrated in the drawings, the needle valve element 116 is normally urged in a downward or closed direction, as viewed in FIG. 2 ofthe drawings. To this end, biasing means in the torrn of a coiled spring 246 surrounding the needle valve stem 116 are provided compressed between the plug 88 and a lower washer 247 secured to the needle vdve stem 116 by any suitable means. Preferably an upper washer 24S is interposed between spring 246 and the lower surface of the plug 88. With this construction the normally 'compressed spring 24d urges valve stem 116 in a downward direction to close valve 44.

It will be understood that the needle valve element 116 may be biased to the open position, if desired, instead of Ito the closed position, as illustrate-d. The illustrated arrangement is believed to be quite superior, however, since at least two distinct advantages occur as a result of having the spring 246' -bias the needle valve element 116 to a closed position. First, the spring 246 provides a safety valve action so that if the openings in the sole plate become blocked, steam pressure may be released by merely forcing valve element i116 upwardly against the biasing force ot the spring 24o. Secondly, the spring 245 acting in this direct-ion, permits wide manufacturing tolerances with respect to the distance between the seating portion of the valve element and the manual means for locking the valve in the nonbiased position. It the valve were biased to the lopen position, accurate machining of the element and seat would be necessary to insure that the manual means can lock the valve in a truly closed position.

ln order that the water valve 44 be above the level ot the water in the reservoir 33 when the iron 20 is :in an upended or rest position, the lower end of the valve 4d a, teasers including the valve stern 116 is inclined slightly horward of the upper end thereof. In this upended position, the water in the reservoir 83 will be below the valve 44 and the flow of water from the Water reservoir 83 to the steam generating chamber 3S will be discontinued. Thus, it is not necessary that the valve E-f-l` be closed in order to stop the steaming lof the iron; it is merely necessary to set the iron in its upended or rest position.

From the foregoing explanation, it will -be observed that the front vertical post of the plastic handle is made sufficiently large and the horizontal bottom portion of the handle has been extended downwardly so that the water reservoir S3 is fully contained in at least a portion of the handle. This permits the shell i3I to be reduced to a fraction of the size of Ithe conventional shell. It will also be observed that although the water reservoir 83 is located (cam surface and a cam follower cooperating with said Y means for heating said sole plate, a thermal control device within the member 82, nevertheless, the temperature control knob 225 and the steam control knob 244 are conveniently located near the top of the front post 82e near the forward end of the hand grip portion 82h of the Y member 82 and are readily and conveniently operable with facility by virtue of the fingertip control provided at closely adjacent positions near the top and front of the member 82. Moreover, these elements are located Iin the coolest area of the member 82,' with the result that the problems caused by excess heat are avoided.

Also, it will be observed that the location of a major portion of the temperature responsive device 128 at the rear portion of, the sole plate 22 and the use of the longitudinally movable cam rod 166 between the steam generating chamber 38 and the bottom cover 39 of theY water reservoir 83 provide for more effective utilization of the space between the water reservoir 83 and the sole plate 22, and, hence, eliminate a bulky appearance of the Yof temperature cooling as a result of steam formation.

In view' of the detailed description included above, the operation of the steamV and dry iron of the present invention will readily beunderstood by 4those skilled in the ar-t and no further discussion thereof is included herewith.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired'to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A pressing iron comprising a sole plate, handle means secured to said sole plate, electric heating means for heating said sole plate, temperature responsive means responsive to the temperature `of said sole plate for controlling said heating means, cam means and a cam follower for adjusting said temperature responsive means selectively to control the temperature of said sole plate, manually operated means including an operating'memberV selectively adjustable to-diferent positions, indicating means for ini -dicating the different positions to which said member is adjusted, means including a rack and a cooperating gear operatively interconnecting said manually operated means `and said cam means, and adjustable means adjustably positioning said cam means for Calibrating sai-d tempera- -ture responsive means thereby to correlate the selected temperature of said sole plate with the selected indication of said indicating means.V

2. A pressing iron including the combination of a sole plate, a handle secured to said sole plate, electric heating means for heating said `sole plate, a thermal control device responsive to the temperature of said sole plate for controlling said heating means, means including a longitudinally movable cam rod having an inclined responsive to the temperature of said s-ole plate for controlling said heating means, cam means including a longitudinally movable cam rod extending between said handle and said sole plate in a direction generally parallel with the ironing surface `of said sole plate and having an inclined cam surface dened thereon, a cam follower cooperating with said cam surface, means responsive to the position of said cam follower for adjusting said thermal control device selectively to control the temperature 'of said sole plate, manual means operatively connected to one end of said cam rod, indicating means for indicating the diierent positions to which said manual means is adjusted, and means for adjustably positioning the other end cam surface, a cam follower cooperating with said camV surface for adjusting said thermal control device to alter the temperature at which said thermal control device is responsive, indicating means for indicating the different positions to which said manually operated means is adjusted, means slidably mounting one end of said cam rod, threaded adjusting means for adjusting the position of the other end of said cam rod relative to said cam follower for correlating the temperature of the sole plate and the indications provided by said indicating means, closure means associated with said handle and said sole plate affording access tov space above said sole plate, and an opening in said closure means in substantial alignment with Isaid threaded means to permit the insertion of a tool through said opening for manipulating said adjusting means.

5. The pressing iron of claim 4 wherein said cam rod is of inverted U-shape cross section with a bight portion and Vleg portions, and wherein said bight portion slides on said threaded adjusting means.V

6. The pressing iron of claim 2y wherein a shallow shell is secured to the top of said sole plate enclosing said thermal control device, cam rod and cam follower.

7. A steam iron comprising a sole plate, electric heating means for said sole plate, switch means for controlling the temperature of said sole plate, supply conductors for electric current for said heating means, a one-piece plastic handle secured above said sole plate, said handle having spaced hollow front and rear posts rand a hand grip spanning the space betweensaid posts across the upper ends thereof, said handle also having a lower hollow skirt portion spanning the'space between said posts across the lower ends thereof, said hollow skirt I"portion having an open bottom and an integral partition ydividing said hollow skirt portion into a first and a second compartment,

Va sealing plate for the open bottom of said first compartly with said handle to retard the movement of water in said front compartment during ironing.

vcontrol rod extending through said hollow member.

10. The team iron of claim 7 wherein there is provided in said front compartment a rtubular member engaging said sealing plate and a control rod associated with said switch means extending through said tubular member, said 18 tubular member having watertight connections with at least said sealing plate so as to keep water away from said control rod extending through said tubular member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,596,684 Hedenkamp May 13, 1952 2,797,507 Maykemper July 2, 1957 2,887,800' Kistner May 26, 1959 2,958,263 Palkowski Nov. 1, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 586,543 Great Britain Mar. 211, 1947 1,153,583 France Oot. 7, 1957 

1. A PRESSING IRON COMPRISING A SOLE PLATE, HANDLE MEANS SECURED TO SAID SOLE PLATE, ELECTIRC HEATING MEANS FOR HEATING SAID SOLE PLATE, TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID SOLE PLATE FOR CONTROLLING SAID HEATING MEANS, CAM MEANS AND A CAM FOLLOWER FOR ADJUSTING SAID TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE MEANS SELECTIVELY TO CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE OF SAID SOLE PLATE, MANUALLY OPERATED MEANS INCLUDING AN OPERATING MEMBER SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE TO DIFFERENT POSITIONS, INDICATING MEANS FOR INDICATING THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS TO WHICH SAID MEMBER IS ADJUSTED, MEANS INCLUDING A RACK AND A COOPERATING GEAR OPERATIVELY INTERCONNECTING SAID MANUALLY OPERATED MEANS AND SAID CAM MEANS, AND ADJUSTABLE MEANS ADJUSTABLY POSITIONING SAID CAM MEANS FOR CALIBRATING SAID TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE MEANS THEREBY TO CORRELATE THE SELECTED TEMPERATURE OF SAID SOLE PLATE WITH THE SELECTED INDICATION OF SAID INDICATING MEANS. 